Tension device for winding-machines.



F.S.RAND.

TENSION DEVICE FOR WINDING MACHINES.

v PPLIOATION PILED MAR. 28, 1913. 1 0 9 790, Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

2 SHEET SHEET 1 F. S. RAND.

TENSION DEVICE FOR WINDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1913. I

Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Jim $52534 STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FES'IUS S. RAND, OF PROVIDENCE, RI-IODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL WIND- INGl COMPANY, 01 PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

' TENSION DEVICE FOR WINDING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 10,1914.

Application filed March 28, 1913. Serial No. 757,435.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FESTUS S. RAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Devices for Winding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to Winding machines for winding cones, cops, or packages of yarn, thread or like material and consists of improvements in the means for regulating the amount or degree of tension applied to the running yarn in accordance with the speed of draft of the latter.

The object of my new device is to automatically decrease the amount of applied tension on the yarn during the growth of the cop or package to which the yarn is being supplied, so that as the speed of the yarn becomes faster the ultimate tension upon it will not become excessive.

My improvement consists particularly in providing a device which will not be affected by the rapid movement of the yarn to cause undue chattering or vibration of the tension elements, due to the passage of knots or irreg- 'ularities in the yarnor from the whipping action of the latter.

The invention is fully set forth in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference designate like parts.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a Winding machine showing my new device applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tension-device showing the parts in the position they assume at the beginning of the winding; Fig.3 is a similar view showing the parts in their relative positions at the finish of the winding. i

Referring to Fig. 1, B designates the frame of a winding machine which is provided with suitable bearings for the winding-spindle b and cam-shaft c. Pivoted on the cam-shaft 0 is a swinging traverseframe I) which carries the reciprocating yarnor thread-guide e. The frame D is counterweighted by the depending arm D which flares out at its lower end to form the fan-shaped weight D for counterbalancing the upper portion of the frame and the parts carried thereon.

Near the top of the frame D is a horizontal groove (Z extending parallel with the axis of the winding-spindle b and adapted to serve as a bearing for the sliding traversebar or rod f. The traverse-bar f is reciprocated back and forth in the groove (Z by means of the usual traverse-cam, or through any suitable device, not here shown or described. Secured to the front end of the traverse-bar f is the thread-guide a which reaches up with its rounded face 0' in position to bear on the surface of the winding. At the commencement of the winding the thread-guide 0 beats on the periphery of the cop-tube m, which is carried on the winding-spindle I). As the layers of yarn are deposited on the tube the increase in diameter or growth of the cop X will force the guide back from the spindle b and swing the traverse-frame I) outward in the direction indicated by the arrow 2, Fig. 1.

The yarn 7 supplied to the machine to build the cop X leads through a tensiondevice Ur and thence to the thread-guide e by which it is traversed longitudinally of the windingspindle. The tension-device proper, as here shown, is of a usual type consisting of two oppositely arranged members or grids g, 9, see also Figs. 2 and 3. The tension-members g, may be of any suitable form but are preferably provided with cross-bars across which the yarn is adapted to draw. One member 9 is secured fixedly in the frame II, the latter forming part of a bracket h or other suitable support projectingfrom or secured to the frame B of; the machine. The other member 9 is hinged on a rod 9 held in bearings on the frame H, and is adapted to swing toward and away from the fixed member (1. An arm or lever g secured to or formed as a part of the movable member 9" serves to swing the latter toward the fixed member 9 to apply pressure on the yarn 1 as it draws between the two members, see Figs. 2 and 3. It will be noted that the cross-bars 9 g on the members 9 and g are arranged alternately or in staggered relation so that a slight degree of sinuosity may be imparted to the course of the yarn as it draws across the bars to apply resistance to its draft, in the usual manner common to such devices.

In practice I have found that the most efiicient means for applying pressure .to the swinging tension-member is by the use of weights suspended from a cord or similar flexible fastening, which latter can beled over =a hook or other supporting means. Such an arrangement isillustrated in the drawings and consists essentially of the weights j, j held on a holder such as the rod is which latter is suspended at the end of a cord Z by means of the hook m. The cord Z is led up over a wire hook or rod n, which is secured to the bracket h, and then fastened to the end of a wire rod or link 0. The link 0 is formed at its opposite end with a hook 0 adapted to engage an elongated slot 9 in the arm 9 of the movable tension-member g. c

Any other suitable arrangement of flexible connection between the weights j and tension-lever 9 could be employed in place of the cord Z and link 0 with equal effect, providing it were arranged to lead over a 'fixed support similar to the hook at. The link 0 might be dispensed with, if desired, and a short hook used in its place.

Extending from the frame H is an arm h at the end of which is a screw 77 serving as a pivot for a bell-crank lever P. 0ne arm ,0 of the lever P has its extremity bent upwardly at p and formed with a slot 79 This portion 11 of the arm 12' serves as a fork to straddle the link 0, see Figs. 2 and 3. The opposite arm 39* of the lever P is provided at its end with a hole p into which is hooked the end of a wire rod 1'. The rod 1' connects the lever P with the lower arm 1) of the traverse-frame D so that the lever is moved thereby during'the movement of the ,frame. The rod 1' is preferably connected with the arm D in such manner as to render its point of connection-adjustable thereon, toward and away from the axis of the ,frame D. This provides for, regulating the extent of-movement of the lever P in rela-.

tion to the 'movement of the traverseframe. This adjustable connection in its simplest form might consist of a series of holes in the arm D with which the bent end 1" of the rod 1"; could beengaged. In the preferred arrangement here illustrated I make use of an elbow-shaped member S pivoted to the arm at s, see-Fig. 1, and having a. slot .9 through which extends a bolt t. The upper arm s of the member S is formed with a series of notches s 8 adapted to receive the end 9" of the rod-1'. A wire, hairpin: shaped inemberU is secured to the arm 8 with one end a extending across the notches s. The member U serves to hold the rod 1" in the notch where adjusted, but is releasable to allow the end of'the rod to be 6 shifted to the other notches. The operation of the complete device is as follows As before stated the winding is started with the guide 6 bearing on the periphery of the cop-tube as. The yarn 3 leads up be-- tween. the two tension-members g, g and thence through an eye'in the guide 6 by I which it is traversed on the tube m. At the.

start of the winding the parts of the tensioncontrolling device are in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, and it will be observed that the link 0 is then at the outer end of the slot in the arm 9 of the tension-member 9. Under these conditions the weights j, 7' act.

through the cord Z and link 0 to apply the maximum degree of tension to the yarn y.

That is to say, the weights j act through the arm 9 to utilize the full leverage of the .lat-ter to press the movable tension-member, g toward the fixed member 9 and thereby apply pressure on the yarn y. It is obvious,

of course, that the degree of this initial tension on the yarn can be varied by adding to or subtracting from the number of weights 1 on the holder 72, as in the usual practice with devices of this kind.

As the yarn y builds up on the cop-tube w to form the cop or package X the guide 6 is forced back from the winding-spindle b and the frame D is swung thereby in the direction indicated by the arrow 2, Fig. 1.

This causes the arm D to swing in the op posite direction, as indicated by the arrow 3, Fig. 1, and the rod 0" is thereby caused to oscillate the bell-crank lever P to slide the link 0 toward the pivot of the tension-member g As the link 0 is moved inwardly on the arm 9 the leverage of said arm is gradually decreased so that the weights 9' will have less and less efieet in applying pressure to the tension-member g5, and hence the tension on the yarn will be gradually lessened.- Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate the device at the finish of the winding, that is, at the completion of the cop or package X, and it will be observed that at this point the efiect of the weights j on the tension-member g must be materially less than when the link 0 is at the outer end of the'arm g as shown in Fig. 2. I

y adjusting the elbow S about its pivot s, be ore starting the windi the initial posi tion of the link 0 can be regulated in accordance with different positions of the frame D. j

That is to say, the frame D will assume different positions in accordance with the diameter of the cop-tube on which the package is being wound and adjustment of the elbow S is necessary to provide for the proper positioning of the link 0 at the start of the winding. To regulate the extent of movement of the link 0 underaction of the lever P the rod r can be adjusted in the notches s, as before described, so as to provide for the proper relief of tension in accordance with the character of the winding. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the rod 1' is hooked into the lowest notch s on the member S and with this adjustment the link 0 will be moved the whole length of the lever g during the building up of the cop. If it is not required to give such a complete relief of tension on the yarn during the winding the rod r can be shifted on th member S to one or more notches nearer the pivot of the frame D so that the movement imparted to the lever P will be less and hence the link 0 will not be shifted the whole length of the lever 9 t I am aware that means for gradually decreasing the applied tension on the yarn during the winding of the cop have before been used on winding machines. The purpose of such means, as hereinbefore explained, is to prevent the tension on the yarn becoming excessive during the building of the cop, on account of the rapid increase in speed of 5 draft of the yarn due to the growth in diameter of the cop. In the devices heretofore commonly used for this purpose it has been the practice to employ tension weight-s supported directly on the lever which controls the tension-members and arranged either to roll or slide toward the pivot of the lever, or else having the lever operated to turn clockwise to reduce the effect of the weights. Such arrangements are open to certain disadvantages on account of the direct connection of the weights with the tension-members. That is to say, as the yarn drawing through the tension-device is generally irregular in size or has knots and enlargements on its surface, these will cause the movable tension-member to open away from the other member at frequent intervals to allow the passage of the knots, and this action often sets up a considerable vibration or chattering of the tension elements. Now, if the movable tension-member operated ,by a pivoted lever, its vibrating movement is communicated directly to this lever and to the weights supported on it. As the weights are particularly subject to the effect of momentum this initial vibration will be greatly increased or multiplied and, being communicated back to the tension-membcr. will increase or exaggerate the vibration of this part. This condition often causes such violent chattering and vibration of the tension elements that pressure is applied to the yarn spasmodically, that. is, only intermit' tently, and therefore the tension on the yarn cannotbe maintained constant or with any degree of uniformity.

Vith the herein described arrangement the flexible connection between the movable tension-member and the weights acts as sort of an insulating medium to prevent the transmission of shock or jar to the tension weights. The cord which suspends the weights being passed over the hook or other fixed support acts as a friction means to prevent disturbance of the inertia or stability of the weights and hence they are not subject to the effects of momentum. At the same time my new device is arranged to provide for a quick relief of tension on the yarn as required, and as before explained, without the disadvantages or defects of previous devices employed for the same purpose.

Various modifications might be madein the form and arrangement of my new device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, without limiting myself to the exact construction shown and described, what I claim is:- 7

1. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle and thread-guide, of a tension-device, a lever to operate said tension-device to apply pressure on the yarn, weights to operate the lever, flexible means connecting said weights with the lever, a fixed support over which said means leads to hold the weights in suspension, said support arr; ngcd to applyafrictional resistance to-the movement of the suspension-means to prevent undue vibration of the weights, and means operating automatically to move the point of connection of the weight-suspending means toward the pivot of the lever during the growth of the winding to gradually reduce the tension applied to the yarn.

2. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle and tln'cadguide, of a tension-deviee to apply tension on the running yarn, a lever to operate the tensioudevice, weights to operate the lever, flexible means for suspending the weights, :1 fixed support over which said means leads so arranged as to apply frictional resistance to the movement of the suspension-means to prevent undue vibration of the weights, means to connect the weight-suspending means to the lever, and means operating automatically to adjust the connecting-means toward the pivot of the lever during the growth of the winding to relieve the tension applied to the yarn.

3. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle and thread-guide arranged to recede one from the other during the building up of the cop on the spindie, of means to apply tension on the runniug yarn, a lever to operate said means, weights to operate the lover, a flexible connection between the weights and the lever, means over which said connection leads to suspend the weightsunder the influence of gravity in such manner that frictional rcsistance is applied to the movement of the weight-suspending means to prevent undue vlbration of the weights, and means operating automatically during 'the separation of the spindle and thread-guide to move the onne'cting point of the weight-suspending --"means toward the pivot of the lever to rea lever to operate said means, weights to opcrate said lever, a flexible connection between the weights and the lever, a support over which said connection leads to hold the weights in suspension in such manner that frictional resistance is applied to the movement of the Weight-suspending means to prevent undue vibration of the weigh-ts, and means to automatically move the point of connection of said suspending-means toward the pivot ofthe lever to relieve the tension on the yarn.

5. In a tension-device, the combination with means to apply resistance to the draft of the yarn, of a lever to operate said means, weights to operate the lever, means shift-able from one end of the lever to the other, a flexible connection between the shiftable means and the weights, a support over which said connection leads to hold the weights in suspension in such manner that frictional resistance is applied to the movement of the weight-suspending means to prevent undue vibration of the Weights, and'automatically operated devices to move the shiftable means toward'the pivot of the lever to reduce the tension applied "to the yarn. Q 6. In a tension-device, the combination with cooperating tension-members adapted to apply resistance to the draft of the yarn.

of a leverto operate one of said 'members flexible means connected to said lever, a support over which said means leads in such manner as to provlde frictional resistance to the movement of the suspending-means to prevent undue vibration of the weights, weights suspended by said means, and automatic devices to shift the point of connection of said means from one end of the lever to the other to relieve the tension applied to the yarn.

7. In a tension-device, the combination with a fixed member and a movable member adapted to press upon the yarn running between them, of a lever tooperate the movable member, weights to operate the lever,

- tionof the cord along the lever from one,

a cord connecting the weights with the lever, a support over which the cord leads to support the weights in suspension in such manher as to apply frictional resistance to the movement of the cordwhereby undue vibration of the weights is prevented, and means to automatically shift the point of connecend to the other to reduce the tension ap the cord on thesupport acting to prevent undue vibration of the weights, a link connecting said cord to the lever and arranged to slide on the latter, andautomatic devices to slide said. link toward the pivot of the lever to reduce the tensionv applied to the yarn.

9. In a tension-device, the combination with means to apply resistance to the draft of the yarn, of a lever to operate said means,

said lever formed with a longitudinal slot, a link arranged to slide along the slot in said lever, a cord attached to the link, a support over which said cord leads, Weights suspended at the opposite end of the cord with the friction of the cord on the support acting to prevent undue vibration of the weights and a second lever engaging the link to slide it onthe lever to alter the ten sion applied to the yarn.

10. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle and threadguide, of a tension-device adapted to apply I tension to the running yarn, a lever to opcrate said tension-device, means'arranged to slide along said lever, a cord connected by said means to the lever, a support over which said cord leads, weights suspended by said cord to operate the tension-dfevice through the lever in such manner that the friction of the cord on the support acts to prevent undue vibration of the Weights, and means operated by the growth in diameter of the cop to slide the cord-connecting means on the lever to reduce the tension appliedto the yarn.

11. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle andthread guide arranged to separate one from the other with the growth of the cop, of a tension-device adapted to apply tension to therunning yarn, a lever to operate said tension device, a cord connected tosaid lever, a support over which said cord leads, weights suspended by said cord to operate the lever through gravity and arranged so that the friction of the cord on the support acts to prevent undue vibration of thefweights and means actuated by the separation of. the

' spindle and thread-guide to slide the point of connection of the cord along the leverto reduce the tension applied to the yarn as the cop increases in diameter. 1 1

12. "In a winding machine, the combination with the winding-spindle and thread- I guide, of a traverse-frame to support the guide to move away from the spindle during the growth of the cop, a tension-device to apply tension on the yarn, a tension-lever to operate the tension-device, a link slidable on said lever, a cord connected to said link, a support over which said cord leads, weights suspended by said cord to operate the lever and so arranged that the friction of the cord on the support acts to prevent undue vibration of the weights, at bell-crank lever engaging the link to slide it on the tcns1onlever, and means connecting said bellerank lever to the traverse-frame to adapt it to be moved from the movement of the 15 thread-guide.

In testimony whereof I allix my signahire in presence of two witnesses.

FESTUS S. RAND. Witnesses:

An'rnun A. AmuNe'roN, Ilmnmm'r K. ALLARD. 

